The Switch 2’s $50 price increase is happening next week

This is a friendly reminder that the Nintendo Switch 2 will jump in price by $50 starting on September 1st. That’s next Tuesday! The company gave plenty of notice, but the time has finally come. The base 256GB model that ships without a game will go from $449.99 to $499.99. Nintendo recently announced two bundles (both well over $500) shipping this fall that include a game with a slight discount.

If you’re on the fence for a Switch 2, now is a pretty good time to buy one — not just because of the upcoming price increase. The game library is stellar and growing quickly, and the console itself is great, too. You’ll need one to play the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time , The Duskbloods , and plenty of other upcoming games.

Not that the Switch 2 was ever cheap, but it was one of a few devices left out there that didn’t quickly get more expensive due to RAMageddon . Alas, no tech product will escape RAMageddon unscathed, especially one like the Switch 2 that has speedy RAM and storage. Almost all competing handhelds cost more than before, too, though Nintendo’s $50 price increase is soft compared to the $200-plus increase for the Steam Deck OLED .

And, in case you were wondering, we’ve tested some great Switch 2 accessories, and have put our favorites into respective articles that deliver multiple options. We landed on the best cases , the best screen protectors , and the best controllers , too.